Residents across Liberty County will have two opportunities to participate in the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 7, with observances planned in both Liberty and Cleveland.
Both events, organized by local churches and pastors, will begin at noon and will feature guest speakers and music. This year’s theme is “Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations,” based on I Chronicles 16:24, which states: “Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.”
This year’s event is the 75th annual National Day of Prayer and the 31st annual observance for Liberty, Texas. The Cleveland observance came several years later.
In Liberty, the observance will be held outdoors on the east side of the Liberty County Courthouse. Some seating is typically provided, but attendees may wish to bring folding chairs to ensure they have a place to sit. Liberty County Judge Jay Knight is expected to give the proclamation for National Day of Prayer. Several local pastors will provide prayer afterward. The Liberty High School choir also will perform.
In Cleveland, the event will take place at the Cleveland Civic Center, 210 Peach Ave., where seating will be available indoors.
The National Day of Prayer was formally established in 1952 by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation designating the first Thursday in May as the annual observance. An early national gathering was held in 1983 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., with then-Vice President George H.W. Bush serving as a guest speaker.
The annual observance invites people to gather in prayer for the nation, its leaders and local communities.